POLICE — DRONES
1350. Hon MARTIN ALDRIDGE to the minister representing the
Minister for Police:
I refer to the minister's
media statement on 13 November 2019 entitled ''Massive expansion of
remotely piloted aircraft for WA Police Force''.
(1) How many drones are currently
in operation by the WA Police Force?
(2) What is the cost of the
additional 35 drones?
(3) What will the cost be to train
60 drone pilots?
(4) What is the expected breakdown
of drones and trained pilots by police region?
Hon
STEPHEN DAWSON replied:
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of this question. The following answer has been provided to me by
the Minister for Police.
The Western Australia Police Force
advises the following.
(1) The WA Police Force currently
operates four remotely piloted aircraft systems, or RPAS.
(2) The WA Police
Force has commenced a tender process for the supply of RPAS, which closes on 11
December 2019. Costs for the supply of RPAS will not be known until the panel
completes a full evaluation of the tender responses.
(3) The WA Police
Force has commenced a tender process for the provision of training and
licensing of RPAS pilots, which closes on 5
December 2019. Costs for the provision of training and licensing of RPAS pilots
will not be known until the panel completes a full evaluation of the tender
responses.
(4) The WA Police
Force intends to deliver a statewide RPAS capability over the next two years.
It is anticipated that an RPAS will be available for use in each police
district across the state.